Pep Guardiola – the ultimate star of yesterday’s Man City vs Liverpool game

Manchester City produced a performance of power, precision, and flair as they swept aside Liverpool 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium, a result that could prove pivotal in this season’s Premier League title race.

With Arsenal slipping up at Sunderland, Pep Guardiola’s men seized the moment, cutting the gap at the top to just four points. But while Erling Haaland and Nico Gonzalez were both on the scoresheet, it was Jeremy Doku who lit up the night with a performance that announced him as City’s newest superstar.

The Belgian winger was unplayable from the first whistle, tormenting Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley with pace, skill, and purpose. His persistence earned City an early penalty, one Haaland saw saved, but he refused to be discouraged. Haaland later made amends with a towering header from Matheus Nunes’ inch-perfect cross, before Gonzalez’s deflected effort doubled the lead before half-time.

Then came the moment that defined the evening. Doku collected the ball on the left, danced inside, and curled a stunning strike into the top corner to seal the win. As the Etihad erupted, Guardiola turned to the stands, raising both arms and conducting the home crowd in celebration, a symbolic gesture of unity between manager, team, and supporters.

That image summed up the night: Guardiola’s City in full symphony, with Doku the electric soloist. The 23-year-old now has seven goal involvements in 16 appearances this season and appears to be evolving into one of the Premier League’s most feared wingers.

Elsewhere, Haaland’s duel with Virgil van Dijk provided another subplot. Despite an early penalty miss, the Norwegian showed maturity to adjust his movement, drifting onto Ibrahima Konaté to find the space for his headed goal, a sign of his ever-growing intelligence as a striker.

Liverpool, meanwhile, looked shell-shocked. New signing Florian Wirtz endured a miserable evening, failing to impose himself before being withdrawn late on. The Reds’ usually robust midfield was overrun, while Doku’s dazzling display exposed defensive frailties on the flanks.

As the final whistle blew, Guardiola’s men left the pitch to a standing ovation, their title credentials emphatically reaffirmed. For all of City’s star power, it was Doku’s night, and the Etihad’s maestro on the touchline made sure everyone knew it.